Newb looking for advice

[Shooter1of38]

Hi all. Newb here with some questions. I have been reading and searching reloading threads for a month or two now and I have some questions for the vetran reloaders here.

About me:
new to the sport
Have an eye for detail
Love to learn

I think I would like to get into reloading as I have some firearms that have a healthy appetite
.357 s&w performance centre
Sig 9mm (not reloading for it) also a little GSG 1911 .22 for fun
.44 mag Desert Eagle
.45 acp Kimber

And this is only going to grow over time (I've had my PAL for a month and still waiting on my club ATT)

Should I take up reloading? OR, start with Wolf ammo combined with factory?

I am looking at a Dillon 1050.

Are there courses one can take to learn reloading?

Any advice you guys can give would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Quigley]

I have a 1050...and I love it, but I load high volumes of a single caliber. Caliber change overs are a pain on the 1050...and changing the primer system (from large to small) is even worse.

Depending on your volume I may suggest a 550, 650 or Hornandy LNL

The 550 is the easiest of the Dillons to change calibers on...but only has 4 stations and does not auto index. The case feeder is wonky at best. However...if you want a semi progressive to load low to moderate volumes of several calibers...it's a good bet.

The 650 is a step up, and an auto indexer. Don't bother with it unless you intend to add a case feeder. Caliber changes are still relatively easy. A few too many plastic parts for my liking...and I hate the priming system (which it shares with the 550) but still a very good press.

I know nothing about the LNL but it looks to be comparable to the 650...and caliber changes look dead simple (hence the name) Most people who have one rave about them (probably just to piss off the Dillon owners )

The 1050...if it suits your bill...is 3 times the press of any of the above mentioned (and 2 or 3 times the price) It has 8 stations...and really shines with a bullet feeder. It has a superior priming system and the most reliable case feeder of any press on the market.

If you load large volumes before you do a caliber change over...it would be a good choice. As mentioned above, caliber changes are not easy...and the extra parts (tool heads, dies) for loading other calibers are expensive. But...a fast reliable machine. I load 9 major (with a bullet feeder) at a rate of about 1700 rounds per hour.

Good luck!

 

[Shooter1of38]

Thanks Quigley.

Good recap of the models. Having read what you said, the 1050 may be my machine. I could do a large run of each calibre every couple months.

Thanks, i welcome any other advice too.

 

[Quigley]

Thanks Quigley.

Good recap of the models. Having read what you said, the 1050 may be my machine. I could do a large run of each calibre every couple months.

Thanks, i welcome any other advice too.

One last ting...scrap the factory seating die and get a Redding Competition Seating Die (Micrometer adjustable)